Portable communication devices with accessory functions and related methods

ABSTRACT

Portable communication devices and related methods for use in supporting voice and/or data communication are provided. One example portable communication device includes a housing, a display device disposed at said housing, a processor disposed at least partially within said housing, the processor coupled to said display device, and an interface connector disposed at said housing and coupled to said processor. The interface connector is configured to couple to a module. The processor is configured to communicate, through said interface connector, via a plurality of communication protocols. The processor is configured to select at least one of the plurality of communication protocols based on the module coupled to the interface connector.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/922,988, filed Jun. 20, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/272,708, filed Oct. 13, 2011, the disclosures ofeach of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

The field of the disclosure relates generally to portable communicationdevices and related methods, and more particularly, to portablecommunication device with modules providing one or more accessoryfunctions.

Recently, portable and ultra-portable communication devices, such assmartphones, cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), etc.,have grown in use and popularity among a variety of different types ofusers. As the market has progressed, more and more functionality hasbeen incorporated into portable communication devices. More generally,as the number of different types of portable communication devicesincreases, the functionality included therein, as well as the demand foradded functionality, also increases. Manufacturers of portablecommunication devices have responded to the increased demand forfunctionality by incorporating some additional functionality and openingthe relevant operating systems to permit third parties to developadditional functionality.

As the functionality of the portable communication devices increasesthrough effort of manufacturers and/or third parties, the amount and/ortype of data accessed, received by and/or transmitted from such deviceshas also increased. With the increased access to data and the openoperating systems provided by manufacturers, security policies are oftenimplemented at the portable communication devices to limit exposure ofdata accessed by the portable communication device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, a portable communication device for use in supportingvoice and/or data communication is provided. The portable communicationdevice includes a housing, a processor disposed at least partiallywithin the housing, and an interface connector disposed at the housing.The interface connector is coupled to the processor and configured tocouple to a module configured to provide at least one accessoryfunction. The processor is configured to communicate, through theinterface connector, via a plurality of communication protocols. Theprocessor is configured to select at least one of the plurality ofcommunication protocols, based on the module coupled to the interfaceconnector.

In another aspect, a portable communication device for use in supportingvoice and/or data communication is provided. The portable communicationdevice includes a housing, an interface connector disposed at leastpartially within the housing, a processor disposed within the housingand coupled to the interface connector, and a module coupled to thehousing and the interface connector. The module is configured to provideat least one accessory function. The processor is configured tocommunicate with the module according to a plurality of communicationprotocols through an interface connector. The processor is configured toidentify the module and communicate with the module, based on theidentity of the module, according to at least one of the plurality ofcommunication protocols.

In yet another aspect, a method for use in appending at least oneaccessory function to a portable communication device is provided. Theportable communication device includes a processor and an interfaceconnector. The method includes detecting the presence of a modulecoupled to the interface connector of the portable communication device,identifying the module, and selecting one of a plurality ofcommunication protocols supported by the portable communication deviceto communicate through the interface connector with the module, based onthe identity of the module.

The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed can beachieved independently in various embodiments or may be combined in yetother embodiments, further details of which can be seen with referenceto the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a portable communication deviceaccording to one example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the portable communication deviceof FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the portable communication device of FIG.1.

FIGS. 4A-F illustrate a sliding engagement of the portable communicationdevice of FIG. 1 with a module.

FIG. 5 is a back view of the portable communication device of FIG. 1,with the back panel omitted.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the portable communication device ofFIG. 1, with a module coupled thereto.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of an exemplary interface connector.

FIG. 8 is a back perspective view of the interface connector of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a partially exploded view of the portable communication deviceof FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a partially disassembled back of theportable communication device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter described herein relates generally to appending oneor more accessory functions to a portable communication device bycoupling a module to the portable communication device through aninterface connector.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary portable communication device 10.In the exemplary embodiment, portable communication device 10 isprovided for supporting voice communication with another device, such asanother portable communication device. Moreover, portable communicationdevice 10 may include a variety of other functionalities, includingnetwork access, SMS messaging, hosting of one or more applications, dataprocessing, encryption, and/or other functions, etc. In this exemplaryembodiment, portable communication device 10 is a smartphone, configuredto communicate through one or more cellular networks.

As shown, portable communication device 10 includes a housing 12 andmultiple presentation devices 14 disposed at least partially withinhousing 12. Presentation device 14 outputs information such as, but notlimited to, data related to operation of portable communication device10, commands, requested data, messages, one or more input devices (suchas, a virtual keyboard), and/or any other type of data to a user. Inseveral examples, presentation device 14 may include, for example, aliquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, alight-emitting diode (LED), a camera flash, an organic LED (OLED)display, and/or an “electronic ink” display. In some embodiments,multiple presentation devices 14 may be included to present data to auser visually and/or audibly. In this exemplary embodiment, presentationdevice 14 includes an audio output for use in voice communication.

In the exemplary embodiment, portable communication device 10 furtherincludes multiple input devices 16 disposed at least partially withinhousing 12. Each input device 16 may be configured to receiveselections, requests, commands, information, data, and/or any other typeof inputs, according to one or more of the methods and/or processesdescribed herein. Input devices 16 may include, for example, buttons, akeyboard, a microphone, a vibrator, a pointing device, a stylus, a touchsensitive panel (e.g., a touch pad or a touch screen), a gyroscope, anaccelerometer, a digital compass, a position detector, a camera, asecond camera, and/or an audio input interface. In the exemplaryembodiment, a single component, such as a touch screen 18, functions asboth presentation device 14 and input device 16.

In the exemplary embodiment, portable communication device 10 includesback panel 20, which is engaged to housing 12. Back panel 20 defines across-section substantially consistent with housing 12, thereby forminga substantially integral unit with housing 12 when coupled thereto. Backpanel 20 is removable from the back side of portable communicationdevice 10 to provide access to one or more aspects of portablecommunication device 10, including an interface connector discussedbelow.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of portable communication device 10.In the exemplary embodiment, portable communication device 10 includes amemory 22 and a processor 24 coupled to memory 22 for executingprogrammed instructions. Processor 24 may include one or more processingunits (e.g., in a multi-core configuration). Portable communicationdevice 10 is programmable to perform one or more operations describedherein by programming memory 22 and/or processor 24. For example,processor 24 may be programmed by encoding an operation as executableinstructions and providing the executable instructions in memory device22.

Processor 24 may include, but is not limited to, a general purposecentral processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, a reduced instructionset computer (RISC) processor, an open media application platform(OMAP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), aprogrammable logic circuit (PLC), and/or any other circuit or processorcapable of executing the functions described herein. The methodsdescribed herein may be encoded as executable instructions embodied in acomputer-readable medium including, without limitation, a storage deviceand/or a memory device. Such instructions, when executed by processor24, cause processor 24 to perform at least a portion of the functionsdescribed herein. The above examples are exemplary only, and thus arenot intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of theterm processor.

As shown, processor 24 includes a number of communication interfaces,such as universal serial bus (USB) interface, display serial interface(DSI), an HDQ interface (master/slave), a serial peripheral interfacebus (SPI) interface, an I²C bus, a universal asynchronousreceiver/transmitter (UART) interface, a micro-USB interface, an HDMIinterface, and several general purpose input/outputs (GPIOs). In theexemplary embodiment, USB interface from processor 24 utilizes a USCphysical layer circuit (PHY IC) controller 54 to provide a full USBinterface to USB 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 or other versions of USB compliantmodules. Additionally, DSI interface is compliant with MIPI DSI 1.0standard or other standards of display communication protocols. Itshould be appreciated that the number, the type and/or the standard ofcommunication interfaces provided from processor 24 may be different inother portable communication device embodiments.

Memory 22, as described herein, is one or more devices that enableinformation such as executable instructions and/or other data to bestored and retrieved. Memory 22 may include one or morecomputer-readable media, such as, without limitation, dynamic randomaccess memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), a solid statedisk, and/or a hard disk. Memory 22 may be configured to store, withoutlimitation, executable instructions, operating systems, applications,resources, installation scripts and/or any other type of data suitablefor use with the methods and systems described herein.

Instructions for operating systems and applications are located in afunctional form on non-transitory memory 22 for execution by processor24 to perform one or more of the processes described herein. Theseinstructions in the different embodiments may be embodied on differentphysical or tangible computer-readable media, such as memory 22 oranother memory, such as a computer-readable media 26, which may include,without limitation, a flash drive, thumb drive, etc. Further,instructions are located in a functional form on non-transitorycomputer-readable media 26, which may include, without limitation,smart-media (SM) memory, compact flash (CF) memory, secure digital (SD)memory, memory stick (MS) memory, multimedia card (MMC) memory, andmicro-drive memory, etc. Computer-readable media 26 is selectivelyinsertable and/or removable from portable communication device 10 topermit access and/or execution by processor 24. In some embodiments,computer-readable media 26 is not removable.

Further, as shown, portable communication device 10 includes aninterface connector 28 coupled to processor 24. In the exemplaryembodiment, interface connector 28 provides a single, dedicatedconnector for providing communication between processor 24 and a modulecoupled to interface connector 28. Through interface connector 28, amodule 100 may access one or more of the communication interfacesprovided by processor 24 to communicate with processor 24 throughdifferent communication protocols, such as, for example, USB, DSI, I²C,SPI, UART, etc.

Additionally, through interface connector 28, processor 24 provides HDQ(master/slave) interface for detection, interrogation, andauthentication of the module. More specifically, in the exemplaryembodiment, HDQ interface provides a single-wire protocol forcommunication between the HDQ master processor 24 and a HDQ slavedevice, such as module 100. Further, processor 24 provides a devicepower connection to module 100, which processor 24 utilizes to detectwhether or not module 100 includes one or more batteries. Moreover,interface connector 28 provides access to multiple GPIOs from processor24, which may be programmed by processor 24 to perform one or moreprocesses depending on the type of module coupled thereto. For example,one of the GPIOs provides a detect connection, such that processor 24 isable to detect coupling of module 100 to interface connector 28. In theexemplary embodiment, interface connector 28 provides numerouscommunication channels between processor 24 and a module coupled tointerface connector 28 to support a variety of communication protocols,alone or simultaneously. As should be apparent, however, interfaceconnector 28 may provide one or more different communication channelsbetween processor 24 and various other modules in other portablecommunication device embodiments.

Referring again to FIG. 3, portable communication device 10 includes aGPS component 30, which is configured to provide location data toprocessor 24. The location data permits processor 24 to determine thelocation of portable communication device 10 and/or providefunctionality dependent on the location of portable communication device10, such as, for example, navigation functionality. Moreover, portablecommunication device 10 includes a crypto-processor 32, which isconfigured to encrypt at least a portion of data accessed by processor24 for communication to/from portable communication device 10 and/orstorage therein. Accordingly, some data may be segregated from otherapplications and/or operations of the portable communication device 10,and kept at a higher level of security than suchapplications/operations. In this particular embodiment, GPS component 30and crypto-processor 32 are disposed within housing 12, such that whenback panel 20 is removed, GPS component 30 and crypto-processor 32remain within housing 12 and coupled to processor 24.

In the exemplary embodiment, portable communication device 10 furtherincludes a cellular controller 31 coupled to processor 24. Cellularcontroller 31 permits portable communication device 10 to communicatewith a cellular network (not shown) to provide voice and/or datacommunication with the cellular network. In this example, portablecommunication device 10 includes two subscriber identity module (SIM)card sockets 33A and 33B coupled to cellular controller 31. In thismanner, portable communication device 10 is capable of receiving two SIMcards associated with two different cellular accounts, selectable by auser of portable communication device 10. Specifically, in one example,portable communication device 10 is configured to access a personalcellular account and a business cellular account, allowing user toselect therebetween to separate personal and business usage. It shouldbe appreciated that a different number of SIM card sockets may beincluded in other embodiments.

Further, portable communication device 10 includes a USB controller 35coupled to processor 24. As shown in FIG. 3, USB controller 35 isaccessible through connector 37, which is separate from interfaceconnector 28. In this manner, one or more different devices maycommunicate with portable communication device 10, but not coupled tohousing 12 consistent with module 100. Similarly, in the exemplaryembodiment, portable communication device 10 further includes ahigh-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) controller 2 coupled toprocessor 24 and accessible through a connector 41, separate frominterface connector 28. In at least one embodiment, connectors 37 and/or41 may provide micro-USB and/or micro-HDMI connections to portablecommunication device 10.

Additionally, or alternatively, portable communication device 10 mayinclude one or more of a Bluetooth controller, a ZigBee controller, aWi-Fi controller, etc. to provide one or more wireless communicationchannel separate from interface connector 28. While GPS component 30,crypto processor 32 and cellular controller 31 are provided at leastpartially in hardware, it should be further appreciated that one or morecomponents integrated into portable communication device 10 may beprovided through software and/or firmware associated with processor 24.In one example, processor 24 provides an air interface firewall,configured to analyze low-level air interface protocols of portablecommunication device 10 and permit or deny network transmissions basedon approved network identities and characteristics. In this example, airinterface protocol data from cellular controller 31 containing cellularnetwork identities and characteristics is provided to processor 24 andanalyzed by processor 24 to determine if portable communication device10 should be permitted to conduct network transmissions via cellularnetworks identified by cellular controller 31. In this example, thelevel of analysis provided adds network security to portablecommunication device 10 by having processor 24 further authenticate thenetwork connections of cellular controller 31 beyond using standardcellular network protocol authentication mechanisms of cellularcontroller 31 by themselves. It should be noted that other air interfacecomponents of portable communication device 10, such as, for example aBluetooth controller, Wi-Fi controller, etc., may also be monitored bythe air interface firewall.

It should be appreciated that other portable communication deviceembodiments may includes more or fewer components integrated with orexternal to processor 24 and usable separate from interface connector28. Further, it should be appreciated that one or more componentsincluded in portable communication device 10 may interact with module100 to provide a particular function. Still further, one or morecomponents included in portable communication device 10 may be disabled,permitting processor 24 to utilize similar components within module 100.

In the exemplary embodiment, through interface connector 28, portablecommunication device 10 is configured to communicate with multipledifferent types of modules 100. Each different one of modules 100generally provide accessory functionality to portable communicationdevice 10, through addition of processing, memory, communication, and/orpower functionality. In the exemplary embodiment, portable communicationdevice 10 may provide accessory functionality through multiple differentcommunication channels. Specifically, processor 24 and interfaceconnector 28 provide several communication interfaces, from which module100 is permitted to select. While exemplary module 100 utilizes each ofthe communication interfaces from processor 24, it should be appreciatedthat a module consistent with the present disclosure may utilize lessthan all communication interfaces available from processor 24. Forexample, a Pico projector module 100 may utilize only a displayinterface and/or a USB interface, along with the detect and/or the HDQinterfaces.

Modules 100 may be designed and/or provided to select among severalcommunication protocols available from portable communication device 10.Accordingly, modules 100 may communicate with processor 24 according toa preferred communication protocol, such as USB, SPI, I²C, UART, etc.,based on an efficient communication channel between module 100 andprocessor 24, and not based on conforming module 100 to a singlecommunication protocol available for known devices. In this manner,portable communication device 10 provides a substantially universalembodiment, by inclusion of interface connector 28.

It should be appreciated that various different types of modules 100 maybe used with the portable communication device 10. For example, module100 may include, without limitation, additional displays (e.g., largetouch screens, pico projectors, etc.), sensors (e.g., health, nuclear,chemical, biological, etc.), radios (e.g., cellular radio, satelliteradio, military radio, etc.), external power sources (e.g., extendedbatteries, solar power, chemical power, biological power, etc.), readers(e.g., biometrics, barcodes, radio frequency identifications (RFIDs),smart cards, etc.), enhanced positioning hardware (e.g., enhanced GPS,inertial navigation systems, etc.), auxiliary processors/memory and anencryption module (e.g., used with crypto processor 32 or in place ofcrypto processor 32, etc.) to provide one or more accessory functions.It should be appreciated that the modules listed herein are exemplaryand not intended to limit the type and/or accessory function(s) providedby module 100.

During operation, when a module is coupled to portable communicationdevice 10, processor 24 detects the presence of the module through adetection connection of interface connector 28, as illustrated in FIG.3. The detection connection may pull, for example, an input of processor24 to a logically high or low state to indicate a module is coupledthereto. In at least one other embodiment, processor 24 may detectmodule 100 through use of one or more mechanical devices, such as acontact switch. When module 100 is detected, processor 24 interrogatesmodule 100 for the module's identity to determine if module 100 is anapproved module. Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, the identityof module 100 includes a numerical and/or alpha-numerical code,indicating manufacturer of module 100, a type of module 100, the uniqueserial number for module 100, and communication interfaces utilized bymodule 100. It should be understood that different information may beconveyed by the identity of a module suitable to couple to portablecommunication device 10.

In the exemplary embodiments, various different types of modules alongthe lines of module 100 may be used with portable communication device10. In various embodiments, portable communication device 10 mayrestrict the modules usable therewith, by permitting only vendorapproved modules to be utilized with portable communication device 10.As such, portable communication device 10 may include, stored in memory22 and/or stored remotely and accessible by portable communicationdevice 10 (e.g., via a wireless network, etc.), a list of identifies ofmodules approved for use with portable communication device 10. Based onthe list of identifies and the identity of module 100, processor 24 isable to authenticate module 100. If module 100 is not approved, portablecommunication device 10 may halt and/or limit further communication withmodule 100.

Conversely, if module 100 is approved, processor 24 is configured tocommunicate with module 100. More specifically, by knowing the identityof the module, processor 24 is able to determine one or morecommunication protocols usable with the module. In one example, uponidentifying the module as enhanced sized touch screen display (ascompared to touch screen 18), processor 24 enables DSI, SPI, I²C, GPIOsand/or power interfaces to enable module 100 to communicate therewith.In other examples, different modules 100 may dictate one or moredifferent communication protocols, which are each supported by portablecommunication device 10.

Upon establishing one or more communication channels therebetween,portable communication device 10 and module 100 communicate as necessaryto permit processor 24 to utilize the accessory function provided bymodule 100. Communication channels therebetween are established bypowering components associated with interface connector 28. For example,processor 24 is configured to disable power associated with USBcommunication channel, when USB communication channel is not selectedfor communication with module 100. Such disabled power may include, forexample, powering down USB controller 54 associated with the USBinterface.

Additionally, processor 24 may selectively enable one type ofcommunication protocol over another communication protocol, using ashared communication channel. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, SPIcommunication and UART communication at least partially share acommunication channel from processor 24. When module 100 is detected andone of these communication protocols is required, processor 24alternately selects between SPI communication and UART communication asnecessary to communicate with module 100. In the exemplary embodiment, aswitch 52 is provided and controlled by a GPIO of processor 24 toselectively provide one of the SPI and UART communication interfaces.Switch 52 is a single-pull-double-throw (SPDT) switch in this particularexample. In the exemplary embodiment, SPI and UART interfaces aresuitable to be alternately provided because each provides the same logiclevel with the same number of inputs/outputs. In various embodiments,other communication interfaces and/or protocols may share one or morecommunication channels between processor 24 and module 100, potentiallydependent on the similarities among the communication interfaces and/orprotocols.

In the exemplary embodiment, when module 100 is detected, processor 24determines if module 100 includes a module battery 102 through thedevice power connection. In various embodiments, portable communicationdevice 10 includes a battery 38 to power processor 24 and/or othercomponents of portable communication device 10. Module battery 102 maybe utilized to supplement power to portable communication device 10.Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, when portable communicationdevice 10 detects module 100, processor 24 determines if module 100includes module battery 102. If not, processor 24 controls switch 40 toprovide power to and/or charge module 100. In this example, switch 40includes a SPDT switch. In contrast, if module battery 102 is detected,processor 24 toggles switch 40 to power and/or charge portablecommunication device 10 from module battery 102. In this manner, thelife of battery 38 and/or battery 102 may be extended, throughbi-directional charging between batter 38 and battery 102. In otherembodiments, processor 24 may continue to power portable communicationdevice 10 from battery 38, even when module battery 102 is detected.

Further, when module battery 102 is detected, processor 24 may provide asection for presentation to a user, such that the user is permitted toselect one of batteries 38 and 102 to power portable communicationdevice 10 through an input to input device 16. Additionally, oralternatively, the user may select a direction of charge to determinewhich of batteries 28 and 102 is charged from the other. In at least onembodiment, battery 38 may be charged from module battery 102 of module100. Further, when portable communication device 10 is powered frommodule battery 102, processor 24 may utilize an eject sequence to ensurepower is uninterrupted to portable communication device 10 when module100 in removed. In such an embodiment, processor 24 may provide an ejectsequence to presentation device 14 to solicit user inputs to engagebattery 38, prior to ejecting module 100.

Further, processor 24 is configured to manage power at said interfaceconnector to permit hot-swap of module 100. More specifically, in theexemplary embodiment, at least one of the GPIOs of processor 24 iscoupled to a module insertion connection of interface connector 28 andconfigured as to provide an interrupt to processor 24, when module 100is coupled to interface connector 28. In response, processor 24interrogates module 100 via the HDQ interface to read the identificationof module 100 and determine if module 100 is an approved module. Ifmodule 100 is approved, processor enables communication interface(s)and/or power at interface connector 28 to permit and/or initiatecommunication between portable communication device 10 and module 100.

Additionally, in the exemplary embodiment, processor 24, throughinterface connector 28, provides a clock (CLK) connection 58 to module100. CLK connection 58 may be used by module 100 to synchronizecommunication and/or data transfer between processor 24 and module 100.Specifically, for example, CLK connection 58 may be understood by module100 to indicate the time and/or size of data to be transmitted toprocessor 24. Likewise, processor 24 utilizes CLK connection 58 todetermine what type of data it is receiving from module 100. It shouldbe appreciated that portable communication device 10 and/or module 100may include various other methods for synchronizing data transfertherebetween. In the exemplary embodiment, CLK connection 58 includes abuffer 56 configured to enable or disable the CLK signal output tointerface connector 28.

It should be understood that module 100 may include a variety ofdifferent form-factors and couple to housing 12 in a variety of manners.In the exemplary embodiment, module 100 is coupled to portablecommunication device 10 in place of back panel 20. In this manner (asshown in FIG. 6), the cross-section of module 100 is substantiallyconsistent with the cross-section of housing 12, thereby providingmodule 100 within substantially the same form-factor as portablecommunication device 10 and forming a substantially integral unit withhousing 12 when coupled thereto. Other configurations (e.g., shapes,sizes, cross-sectional areas, etc.) of modules 100 may be included inother portable communication device embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates removal of back panel 20 and addition of module 100.Specifically, from the assembled portable communication device 10 (FIG.4A), latching mechanisms 34 on either side of housing 12 are depressedto disengage latching mechanisms 34 from back panel 20. Back panel 20then is slid relative to housing 12 (FIG. 4B) to disengage mounting tabs36 of back panel 20 from corresponding parts of housing 12 and latchingmechanisms 34. Once disengaged, back panel 20 is separated from housing12 (FIG. 4C). Accordingly, the sequence from FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C providesa portable communication device 10 with the back panel 20 removed, asshown in FIG. 5.

In order to couple module 100 to housing 12, module 100 is disposedproximate to housing 12 (FIG. 4D) and brought into contact with housing12 (FIG. 4E) to engage mounting tabs 26 with complementary structures ofhousing 12. When in contact with housing 12, as shown in FIG. 4E,mounting tabs 36 of module 100 are aligned with corresponding featuresof housing 12 and latching mechanisms 34. Upon sliding movement ofmodule 100, relative to housing 12, latching mechanisms 34 engagemounting tabs 36 to retain module 100 relative to housing 12 (FIG. 4F).Further detail of the engagement between housing 12 and module 100 isdescribed below with reference to FIGS. 6-7.

Furthermore, while sliding engagement of module 100 and housing 12 isshown in FIGS. 4A-F is provided for purposes of illustration, it shouldbe appreciated that various different types of engagement between module100 and housing 12 may be utilized in other portable communicationdevice embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates portable communication device 10 with back panel 20removed, but no module 100 added. As shown, in the exemplary embodiment,interface connector 28 is accessible from the back side of housing 12.Accordingly, the sliding engagement of module 100 and housing 12,described with reference to FIG. 4, provides engagement of interfaceconnector 28 with a mating connector of module 100. In this manner,module 100 electrically couples with processor 24, as shown in FIG. 3.In the exemplary embodiment, interface connector 28 is structured toprovide a high mating cycle connector, which permits modules 100 to berepeatedly coupled and decoupled from interface connector 28 withoutsubstantially degrading the connection therebetween. Specifically, forexample, interface connector 28 includes pins tapered at its tip andprovides right-angle actuation to mate complimentary module connector29, as shown in FIGS. 7-8. Further, interface connector 28 isthrough-hole mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB) (not shown) withinhousing 12. It should be appreciated that various types of connectorsand/or manners of mounting may be employed to structure interfaceconnector 28 for a high mating life cycle.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, portable communication device 10includes latching mechanisms 34 disposed on opposite sides of housing12. Referring to FIG. 10, each latching mechanism 34 is biased toward anouter edge of housing 12, by a biasing member 42. In the exemplaryembodiment, biasing member 42 is a spring extending about a portion oflatching mechanism 34.

When module 100 is slid relative to housing 12, mounting tabs 36 movealong a first surface 44 of a protuberance 48 of latching mechanism 34.Simultaneously, a mating connector of module 100 initially engagesinterface connector 28. As shown in FIG. 5, a void 50 exists aboveinterface connector 28, which permits complimentary module connector 29of module 100 to be positioned proximate to interface connector 28 forsliding engagement therewith. Referring to FIG. 10, when the mountingtab 36 is past first surface 44, biasing member 42 biases latchingmember 34 towards the outer edge of housing 12, thereby causing mountingtab 36 to come to rest in recess 46 of latching mechanism 34. At thispoint, interface connector 28 is fully engaged in the mating connectorof module 100, to provide communication therebetween. When disposed inrecess 46, protuberance 48 defining first surface 44 retains themounting tab 36 (shown in FIG. 9) and prevents sliding movement ofmodule 100 relative to housing 12.

To remove module 100, each latching mechanism 34 is depressed inward,against the force of biasing member 42 to permit mounting tabs 36 toslide past protuberance 48, along first surface 44 of protuberance 48.Module 100 may then be sufficiently slid, as shown in FIG. 4, todisengage mounting tabs 36 and position the mating connector thereofwithin void 50, such that module 100 may be removed from housing 12 andinterface connector 28. Other mounting tabs 36 of module 100 and/orhousing 12 are structured to inhibit other relative movement betweenmodule 100 and housing 12. As should be apparent, other manners ofengaging and/or releasably engaging module 100 and housing 12 to connectmodule 100 and interface connector 28 may be employed without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure. In at least one exampleembodiment, module 100 may be snap engaged with housing 12 to providesuch a connection.

In one embodiment, technical effects of the methods, systems, andcomputer-readable media described herein include at least one of: (a)detecting the presence of a module coupled to the interface connector ofthe portable communication device, (b) identifying the module, and (c)selecting one of a plurality of communication protocols supported by theportable communication device to communicate through the interfaceconnector with the module, based on the identity of the module.

One or more aspects of the present disclosure transform ageneral-purpose computing device into a special-purpose computing devicewhen configured to execute the instructions described herein.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceededwith the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralelements or steps unless such exclusion is explicitly recited.Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention orthe “exemplary embodiment” are not intended to be interpreted asexcluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporatethe recited features.

This written description uses examples to disclose various embodiments,which include the best mode, to enable any person skilled in the art topractice those embodiments, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope isdefined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur tothose skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be withinthe scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do notdiffer from the literal language of the claims, or if they includeequivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from theliteral languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable communication device for use insupporting voice and/or data communication, said portable communicationdevice comprising: a housing; a processor disposed at least partiallywithin said housing; an interface connector disposed at said housing andcoupled to said processor; and a back panel, wherein said housing isconfigured such that said back panel is removably coupleable to saidhousing and such that a module is coupleable to said portablecommunication device in place of said back panel when said back panel isuncoupled from said housing, said module is communicatively coupleableto said interface connector when said module is coupled to said portablecommunication device, and said module is configured to provide at leastone accessory function.
 2. The portable communication device of claim 1,wherein said interface connector comprises at least one of a USBinterface, an I2C interface, an SPI interface, a UART interface, and adisplay interface.
 3. The portable communication device of claim 1,wherein said interface connector comprises a detect connectionconfigured to permit said processor to detect the presence of themodule.
 4. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein saidprocessor is configured to authenticate said module, wherein saidprocessor is configured to inhibit communication with an unapprovedmodule.
 5. The portable communication device of claim 4, wherein saidprocessor is further configured to select at least one of a plurality ofcommunication protocols substantially only for approved modules.
 6. Theportable communication device of claim 1, wherein said back paneldefines a cross-section substantially consistent with said housing. 7.The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising acrypto processor coupled to the processor, said crypto processorconfigured to provide cryptographic operation on a portion of dataaccessed by said processor.
 8. The portable communication device ofclaim 1, wherein said back panel is removably coupleable to furtherprovide access to said interface connector.
 9. The portablecommunication device of claim 8, wherein said housing is configured toslidably engage said module while simultaneously engaging a matingconnector of said module with said interface connector.
 10. The portablecommunication device of claim 8, wherein said housing is configured tosnap engage said module to communicatively couple said module and saidinterface connector.
 11. The portable communication device of claim 1,further comprising a GPS component coupled to said processor.
 12. Theportable communication device of claim 1, wherein said processor isconfigured to manage power at said interface connector to permithot-swap of said module.
 13. The portable communication device of claim1, wherein said processor is configured to communicate through saidinterface connector, based on an identity of said module coupled to saidinterface connector.
 14. The portable communication device of claim 1,further comprising a void disposed within said housing and proximate tosaid interface connector, said void configured to permit a moduleconnector of said module to be positioned proximate to the interfaceconnector for sliding engagement with said interface connector.
 15. Theportable communication device of claim 1, wherein said housing comprisesa plurality of latching mechanisms for removably coupling said backpanel and replacing said back panel with said module, such that saidmodule is removably coupleable.
 16. A method for use in appending atleast one accessory function to a portable communication device, theportable communication device including a processor and an interfaceconnector, said method comprising: uncoupling a back panel from ahousing of the portable communication device; coupling a module to thehousing in place of the back panel such that the module iscommunicatively coupled to the interface connector of the portablecommunication device, the module providing at least one accessoryfunction; identifying, at the processor, the module; and communicatingby the processor, through the interface connector with the module, basedon the identity of the module.
 17. The method of claim 16, whereinidentifying the module includes determining if the module is an approvedmodule for use with the portable communication device, based on theidentity of the module.
 18. The method of claim 16, further comprisingpowering at least one communication channel between the module and theportable communication device to support the selected communicationprotocol.
 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining ifthe module includes at least one battery, selecting the at least onebattery of the module to power the portable communication device whenincluded, and monitoring a power level of the at least one battery. 20.The method of claim 16, further comprising selecting at least one of aplurality of communication protocols based on the identity of themodule.